That's a good question Jay. I think (we'll find out Tuesday) the Wing is going to have a DCT option. I'm really hung up on the decision. The only negative I can think of would be tight turns in parking lots, U turns etc, where you need to slip the clutch. I ride two up 90% of the time and I always use it for U turns. I suppose you could feather the rear brake instead, but that could be tricky in case you don't do it perfectly and have to put your foot down.

I am sure I'll catch a lot of flack for this, but I would only get a DCT equipped bike if I wanted to ride a self-driving motorcycle. Or if I were to suddenly receive a handicap that precluded me from using my left hand.

I have a FJR auto clutch (AE), not quite the same as you have to shift, but do not have to clutch. Similar in take off tho. The only thing I miss is not being able to pull in the clutch and give it a couple of blips. At very slow speeds you learn to feather the rear brake to keep engaged and control. It takes a couple of tanks to get used to. For riding 2 up you just can't get smoother shifting so passengers will appreciate it. Still able to downshift slow down, not sure how that works on dct. I love not worrying about clutching in traffic, light turns green reach over twist and go.

ZG- do you drive an automatic cage rather than a standard? Once people get used to stepping on the gas rather than letting out the clutch and simultaneously giving it throttle to make the vehicle go, the standard transmission isn't as desirable. I had a DCT, loved it. Pulled up next to a motorcycle LEO once and told him the DCT was the future. We rode along side one another, he could hear the gears changing on my bike. At the next light; he said his clutch hand could use the rest. But look, go to your friendly Honda dealer and tell them you want to ride a DCT. Either a NC700x or NC700. An Africa Twin would be the best I think based on the reviews and claimed improvements. I would imagine that he should accommodate you. 25 miles will tell you if you would like it- especially on a 850 lb. bike. And working the back brake in slow motion maneuvers is easier than feathering a clutch once you get used to the bike's movements.

That's a good question Jay. I think (we'll find out Tuesday) the Wing is going to have a DCT option. I'm really hung up on the decision. The only negative I can think of would be tight turns in parking lots, U turns etc, where you need to slip the clutch. I ride two up 90% of the time and I always use it for U turns. I suppose you could feather the rear brake instead, but that could be tricky in case you don't do it perfectly and have to put your foot down.

Yep Joe, the new Wing will have it as an option, I'm actually currently trolling the VFR1200 that come with the DCT option, pretty cool tech for sure, I'm undecided...

Ya there are currently some smoking deals to be had on these bikes, I think MSRP was around $15k, I'm finding quite a few low mile ones available around the $7k price point...

As intrigued as I am on the new Wing, I'm also trying to decide if I'd rather have a 4th toy in the garage and just stick with my 2016 Wing for the next year, of my current 3 bikes the Wing gets rode the least, it's awesome for 2up and distance but that is only about 10% of my riding...

Let me start by saying that when it comes to motorcycles I think people should buy whatever makes them happy -- standard, DCT, trike, scooter, metric, Harley, whatever. This is supposed to be fun, so ride what makes you happy.

That said, I like manual transmissions in cars and on bikes. I find a kind of simple pleasure in shifting for myself, and I do also feel that I'm more in tune with the vehicle and it gives me a bit more control. To me DCTs, paddle shifters, button shifters, etc. are simply automatic transmissions that try to seem sporty. They are not my preference, unless I get to the point that I can't shift for myself. And I think I would like them even less on bikes than on cars, for low speed maneuvers.

But hey, I becoming more and more of a retro-grouch these days. Ride whatever, and have fun!

The video Jay posted seems to address the slow speed maneuvering issue. He says that the engine won't stall and that "it will just pull you through", although I'm not sure what he means by that. Feathering the rear brake with my wife on and the bags fully loaded in a tight U turn makes me a bit squeamish. I'm probably going to buy the new Wing, but I'm a bit worried about a completely unverified blog post that stated it would have 124hp. A bump of only 8 HP would be very disappointing as the GTL has 160, but we'll find out tomorrow.I'm looking at trading my Vette up to the "as yet unannounced" (Standby for the Jan Detroit Auto Show.) 2019 Corvette ZR1. Will probably dump the egg beater and go with the paddle shifted auto. I have a friend that swears he won't speak to me if I do that!

I can't justify the insurance costs on a vfr1200. No tickets, no accidents but a 2010 VFR 1200 costs $200 more per year than my 2012 Connie. Honda changed over to a throttle by wire on the 2012 VFR. That spiced up the performance feel for the DCT. I rode both 1 day; and the 2012 was sportier. The traction control doesn't like wheelies so 1st through 3rd gears is quick shifting, faster than most sport riders will shift. But Honda has supposedly improved the transmission since then so that it is more intuitive of the rider. Bet you can find a test ride ZG

I'm looking at trading my Vette up to the "as yet unannounced" (Standby for the Jan Detroit Auto Show.) 2019 Corvette ZR1. Will probably dump the egg beater and go with the paddle shifted auto. I have a friend that swears he won't speak to me if I do that!

The plant is closed to public tours for now, complete re-tooling going on. Talk is that the 2018 may finally see a mid-motor Corvette? When you select your new 'vette check the box for Museum delivery. My son-in-law will hook you up. AS for paddle shifters; my new Camry has them and I never use them. The idea seems foreign on a motorcycle, but who knows? It might turn out to be a great idea.

I recently drove a BMW M3 with a DCT. That thing was a monster with over 400 HP. Starting from a dead stop was very much like riding a simple minibike or a go kart with a lawnmower engine and a centrifugal clutch. After that, gear shifts were seamless and the suspension was phenomenal. One of the interesting things I read online was that these types of transmissions are not well suited to stop and go driving. This is because the constant engagement/disengagement will wear away the transmission's clutch material more quickly.

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2015 Concours 14

Four wheels move the body. Two wheels move the soul. Steve's ECU flash stirs the soul!

I recently drove a BMW M3 with a DCT. That thing was a monster with over 400 HP. Starting from a dead stop was very much like riding a simple minibike or a go kart with a lawnmower engine and a centrifugal clutch. After that, gear shifts were seamless and the suspension was phenomenal. One of the interesting things I read online was that these types of transmissions are not well suited to stop and go driving. This is because the constant engagement/disengagement will wear away the transmission's clutch material more quickly.

Honda's ATVs have had only DCT since 2009. That would be the laboratory for beating the cr*p out of a transmission and Honda sells almost as many ATVs as motorcycles in the US. DCT has 2 clutches, the odd number (1,3,5,7) of gears being engaged by one clutch, the even number by the other. Acura took the tranny a step further; mating DCT with a 9 speed transmission. Not sure if this is 8 forward, 1 reverse but Honda is putting this into more of their vehicles with additional refinements with each application.

Big fan of DCT's in Cars, specifically Audi.A properly executed system will make a lackluster engine suddenly come to life with responsiveness,smoothness, lightning quick shifting, and improved economy. Sportier models will incorporate rev-matching features, that are truly phenomenal! Most driving enthusiasts put the Porsche (PDK)system as the best in the biz.True, what was mentioned earlier - some additional wear on the systems in stop and go, but you have TWO clutches, so the wear should be distributed by 50% (theoretically). Servicing costs can be somewhat high, and at earlier intervals than "single-clutch" variants. Some Audi models were known for "chattering" from a standing start, but this was minimal and not mechanically problematic.

I personally have owned several Manual shift Vehicles in my life, but have grown very fond of the newer transmissions, and the integrated electronics that allow for smoother, faster, shifting - in addition to manual shifting options that truly render manual transmissions for DAILY DRIVER vehicles, obsolete. (think daily commute in stop and go traffic)

I currently drive an '18 Audi S4 that is NOT equipped with a DCT (oddly) and I can say that although it still isn't as quick or smooth as it's dual-clutch brethren, the electronics package makes this car shift much faster and smoother than any other single clutch unit i've ever driven.

Test driving a DCT Equipped bike will be the TRUE test, and I can only imagine, it will require a huge shift in riding style and THINKING about HOW you ride.